Photo: Lance Murphey

Michael Drake is founder, chairman and chief executive officer of masterIT. masterIT has been named one of North America’s Most Innovative MSPs by Everything Channel’s CRN Magazine. The list recognizes the IT industry’s top 40 managed service providers for their ingenuity, leadership and success.

Hometown: Memphis
Education: BBA, finance, University of Memphis, 1986
Family: Wife of 19 years, Alys; daughters: Aden, 17, and Yates, 9.
Favorite quote: “You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.” Charlie “Tremendous” Jones
Sports team: Anything with a University of Memphis logo on it.
Activities you enjoy outside of work: Time with family, travel, yoga, golf, reading, impressionist art, cycling, staying fit.
Who has had the greatest influence on you? Jean-Louis Bouchard, Chairman, Econocom Group, Paris.
Why did you pursue a career in information technology services? It chose me. I was in Brussels in 2005 doing the due diligence on the acquisition of an earlier generation company similar to masterIT, and I felt like I was hit by lightening, literally. I had been training for this for 20 years. It was the opportunity to provide enterprise IT services to the small- and medium-business market at a small-business price with a team of people I respect and trust.
What does being recognized by CRN Magazine mean to masterIT? To be recognized with so many peers we know and respect within our industry is huge. We are still in the early stages of managed IT services for the small and medium business, and to be thought of as innovative is a testimony to the business model, our team and clients.
What do you consider your greatest professional accomplishments? Taking a punch, perseverance. Taking a business concept in my head and creating a real business from it that truly helps clients. 

Weiss

Daniel P. Weiss has joined Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon Inc. as aviation project manager in the firm’s aviation division.

Seven attorneys from the Memphis office of Adams and Reese LLP have been named to the 2011 edition of Best Lawyers in America. They are Cannon F. Allen Sr., government relations, mass tort litigation; Donna L. Boyce, medical malpractice; Brian S. Faughnan, appellate, commercial litigation, mass tort litigation; James B. McLaren Jr., banking, project finance, public finance; Lucian T. Pera, commercial litigation, ethics and professional responsibility, first amendment, health care, legal malpractice; Henry C. Shelton III, bankruptcy and creditor-debtor rights; and Joseph B. Walker, trusts and estates.

Five professionals have graduated from Christian Brothers University’s School of Business board-registered Certificate in Financial Planning Program. They are Scott A. Kern, Poag & McEwen Lifestyle Centers; Justin Koshenina, Shapiro and Kirsch Law Firm; Mary E. Reopell, Ameriprise Financial; Brian Lynn Rupiper, Ameriprise Financial; and Robert D. Syriac, Bank of America.

Frances Anderson of Crye-Leike Realtors Inc. has graduated from the Tennessee Association of Realtors Leadership Academy.

Pittman

Carrie Crow has joined The Exchange Club Family Center as human resources coordinator. Ebonée Pittman has joined The Exchange Club as family services coordinator and Tiffany Smith has joined as coordinator of the EarnBenefits Program.

Jeffrey Rosenblum has been selected as a fellow in the Litigation Counsel of America Trial Lawyer Honorary Society. Rosenblum, of Rosenblum & Reisman PC, concentrates his legal practice in catastrophic injury, medical malpractice and civil rights law.

Immigration lawyer Greg Siskind of Siskind Susser LLP has been selected for inclusion in the 2011 edition of “Best Lawyers in America.”

Rod Thompson and Kevin Mitchell have joined Strategic Financial Partners as financial representatives.